Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-06-18
Public school Toache RS md sho Sum.
MGR Normal School.

MIR EDIroR-l I'm glad 10 see MI.
.Joynes has placed himself sqlarely on
my platform, and strongly endorses nor
NAL training. but Il cha IRE must have
come over the spirit OF his dreams, for
in lis first letter he referred to 1t,
thought, )cnntemptnnnsly, rs Theoretical
Journalism. Now lie extOls it and |
agree with him OH that subject, but he
has fallen into some plumbers OH other
|pnints. Hn saystlisCrict trustees ought
to see to it that every teacher subscribe
to our State .Iol,rnalnf Education. But
if his theory of ON. powers be rig how
CHI we ssee 10 it?' He tells MS, we have
no right TO discriminate against q
teacher. All he should struggle for is a
license from the county superintendent
and wien labeled competent we MUST
accept him nolens, rOlens. beg your
pardon. Mr.. Joynes. we trusters are not
mere lignreheads, with no authority save
to sign contracts with teachers. We
have the right (see sec. 81, Va. School
Law tn employ tpa;licrs, and to dis
miss them when delinquent. inefficient,
or in anywisc unworthy of the position.
This language is very comprehensive.
1t shows tl,at the trustees ;lre the APP
pointing power, AID the Judges OF the
delinquency, inefliciency or unworthy
ness. Can't we discriminate? Can't
we decline to employ those whom we
consider inefficient OF unworthy even
though they hold licenses in full force
from the county superintendent? But
the teachers ought 10 take tile Educa
tional Journal, and, those who fall IN do
so are delinquent in that parlicular.-
Perhaps they are too poor. Mr.. Joynes
lin tile example lie gave u.s. took every
cent his te;,clli..g earned III his SIX
mouths term to pay his expenses twelve
months. Not IL cent leit-not one redl
Earnings $50. expenses SlS0l All gone!
But he IS rot six months expenses paid
ahead. Good! Worked siJ months,
paid twelve months expenses! Ger
lainly If hes a live man he'll procure
some employment, earn money five
months and attend the normal Ole
month, and havea considerable sum left.
But perhaps lie would rather lie suplne-
~ on his hack and spend the remaining
six months in inglorious ease. is that
your conception of IL COOL teacher1
Goml Lord deliver us from such an in
culris! He's The veliest drone that ever
cursed II school room. You suggest we
pay lis expenses at the normal. Will
We Though, and let him lol around for
sixnontIls? No, neverl The law for
bids 1T. If he works he has money, if
he idles NE will not pay his expenses.
Aagain, Mr.. .loyneS, you lire wrong In
scouting the idea that we owe nny thing
10 Europe. aud you say "from all cor
ners of our land comes the national echo
away with the thought that american
progress is the free Giftof any European
nationality Velyfine:insa fonrtlrof
July Grafton! But those who have read
history: know from ut So ufce our laws,
our customs, and frost of ourllterature
came, Don't spit upon the fountain
head from which flows our civilization,
hut 90 hack with lie to the far East,
and there amid the llins Of palaces. tem-
ules and toinbS that mark the birthplace
of human progress, turn your face to
the West and gaze through tile open yis-
tbs of departed ages; and il you Will but
listen reverently You nay almost fancy
YOU lle;lr the gathering hosts of civillza-
tiun us they march westward-ever west
ware, continually chanting tile deum
Ialdan,us. with all the choral tongues of
countless generations. This grand col
umn has reached America with all the
accumulated wisdom Of the past, and
placed us III the forefront of civilization.
We are not Il mushroom that spr;lng up
in Il night from tile dark s,il Of Amer
ica, but rather the elimination of the
civIl;zlng forces Of the whole world, and
Of all ages. Tllcn let us prove ourselves
worthy of our grand position, educate
the rising generation, and press onward
until we Shall be far i'll advance of all
other nations. If The normal ut Powell.
ton is but IL drop in the great ocean OF
human progress, it is that drop that
most directly affects us in Accomac.-
Therefore let us work it for all it is
worth. and try to max 1t a power for
tile educational advancement Of oul
people. D. u GARSoNS.